PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL SPECIAL: We must handle the tension, says Francis

Monday 27th April 2009

CRAY WANDERERS assistant manager Joe Francis says his players will handle the tension that only a play-off showdown can bring, writes Stephen McCartney.

The magic Wands sealed their highest ever placing in their five seasons in the Ryman One South - in second place - finishing seven points shy of champions Kingstonian.

And Francis, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of their home semi-final showdown against Worthing, insists influential players will play a key role in getting the Hayes Lane based club promoted.

“A very tough game, against a very good, physical side, but we’ve been here before - it’s our third time in five years that we’ve been in the play-off’s,” said Francis.

Having suffered a devastating 1-0 defeat on a poor pitch at Tooting & Mitcham United in last year’s final - just two days after easing past Metropolitan Police - Francis and boss Ian Jenkins are feeling the tension on the eve of Worthing’s visit.

“Last year just makes you more nervous mate to be honest as a manager and a coach because they’re one off games,” said Francis.

“I know that myself and Jenko and Blado (Paul Blade) have just been doing all we can to sort of distract ourselves from the game, otherwise it becomes too big.

“Physiologically there’s a number of techniques that you can use to prepare for a big game. It’s different for a player but for a manager or a coach or people leading a team you try and put yourself in a different place and try and treat it as a normal game. That’s what you try and tell the players.

“There is a sort of feeling amongst us, as a team, that maybe, a big maybe, that this might be our year.

“The difference between making it a reality from a dream is 90 minutes of highly competitive, very difficult football against a very good side - and I imagine their in a similar position.”

Cray Wanderers, who beat Worthing at home in the league, go into the game on the back of a fine 3-0 home win over Eastbourne Town, which will mean the play-off final on Saturday will be played at Hayes Lane - if Cray Wanderers get there.

“Fortunately we’re on the back of a really good result on Saturday and we need every single player to realise his form for the next two games because I think deep down everyone knows we’re good enough,” said Francis.

“We’ve had so many compliments from every team in the league and good wishes from all the managers in the league for us to get a result, obviously not Andy Sinton (Fleet Town), Jim Cooper (Metropolitan Police) and Worthing’s manager Mr Bloor.

“But they’re a good side Worthing and we pay them respect and we just hope it’s a good game of football - with a positive outcome.”

Having suffered in the lottery of the play-off’s on three other occasions, Francis believes this Cray Wanderers squad have the experience and ability to make up for lost time.

“Anybody leading a team like this is to just get the players relaxed but focused,” he said.

“Fortunately we’ve got a lot of experienced players and they’ll prepare in their own way. There won’t be much that needs to be said before tomorrow night, maybe one or two technical points.

“It’s not the Champions League, it’s ninety minutes of football. You can talk until you’re blue in the face - you just have to go out and play your game.

“If you speak to anybody that’s been involved in a play-off game, in whatever level, the one descriptive they use - it’s a lottery - that’s not being negative about it. It’s like a cup final.

“It is absolutely devastating (to lose in a play-off), but I’d like to win one because I’d imagine if you win one it’s the most exhilarating feeling in the world.”

If scores are level after 90 minutes of football, a place in the play-off final on Saturday, against either Fleet Town or Metropolitan Police, will be decided by a penalty shoot.

“Me and Jenko are going to name ourselves on the bench in the event of penalties because we’ve been taking penalties each other,” added Francis, who revealed that they go into their crucial week with a full strength squad to pick from.

Meanwhile, the club would like to remind supporters that it’s ALL PAY on the night. Season tickets are NOT valid.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be providing LIVE COVERAGE of this game.

Visit Cray Wanderers’ website: www.craywands.co.uk

Cray Wanderers v Worthing

Ryman League Division One South Play-Off Semi-Final

Tuesday 28th April 2009

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF